Update on Richmond River high school rebuild | Lismore City News

Rebuilding the Richmond River High Campus is a priority, School Infrastructure NSW said – but where and when that will happen are questions yet to be answered.

Students from the school have been attending a ‘temporary, pop-up’ on the grounds of Lismore High Campus following the flood in February 2022.

The North Lismore campus of The Rivers Secondary College suffered extensive damage and a report in June 2022 stated that all buildings except for the historic Block A, were beyond repair.

School Infrastructure NSW said as a result of damage, and the significant ongoing risk of future flooding, “it is increasingly unlikely that the current site is viable for a rebuild”.

“Any future sites would need to be suitable in terms of flooding and other planning criteria, as well as an appropriate location for a school that meets the needs of the local community.”

School Infrastructure NSW said planning is continuing for the rebuilding of school, and it was working closely with the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation and other technical stakeholders and agencies to “ensure we have the data and information to best inform consultation and facility planning activities”.

A decision about the future location of the campus will be based on:

School Infrastructure NSW said: “The Rivers Secondary College Principal leadership team is being kept updated with the progress of the planning activities and we will be providing information about our consultation approach to the community in Term 2”.

“Once a preferred outcome has been identified, planning, design and construction phases will follow usual School Infrastructure NSW pathways for the delivery of new schools. We will share this timeline with the community.”